If you need another argument against the bigotry of denying same-sex couples the right to marry

[sparkindarkness]

Because this is tragic beyond measure. I cannot imagine what i would do if Beloved and I had ever been caught in this situation

http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner~y2009m2d16-There-is-no-substitute-for-samesex-marriage?cid=exrss-Civil-Liberties-Examiner

Janice Langbehn and Lisa Marie Pond had been together for nearly 20 years. They had 4 children. They had fostered over a score of children. They were a family and must have been some truly caring people

But, because of the law in Florida, they couldn't marry.


And when Lisa had an aneurysm and was rushed into hospital, Janice and their children found they had no rights and the hospital would accord them no recognition, despite the power of attorney they had.

Lisa was alone for 8 hours. Alone while she lay critically ill and dying. Alone while her children and partner (WIFE if there were any justice in the world) of 18 years were denied access to their dying partner and mother. They wouldn't even tell Janice Lisa's condition. She had to wait for 8 hours not knowing whether her partner would live or die.

Thankfully, at the end, the very end, Janice was allowed to be there for the last brief moments of Lisa's life... but only after an 8 hour wait and bigots that made an already agonising experience that much harder and that much crueller.

Comments

[remote45.livejournal.com]

I am one of the people who voted to allow same sex marriage in FL. I marched and protested against those who would deny so many loving people the chance to love and marry like anyone else. After reading this story, I just wish I could have done something more. My heart is breaking thinking of that poor woman laying there dying, probably wondering where her partner was for the last 8 hours of her life. There is something seriously wrong when horrible things like this are allowed to happen. I won't give up. I'll continue to fight and hopefully the next time I and the so many others will finally be on the winning side.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It raises my hearts and hopes that so many people di voter in favour of same sex marriage. I can only hope it is a good sign for the future and a sign for things to come.

One day. It's just so very very sad when we consider the pain it will cause until we finally win

[seryan.livejournal.com]

I can't....I just....what the hell kind of mentality is so threatened by nothing more than two people with matching chromosome pairs - something you can't even see - that they would enforce their separation and their children's separation at such a time?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I am horrified by it.

The sad thing is while we can see the damage and the pain that this does - many people can't. they don't know gay people, don't expecially care about gay people and don't see gay people AS people. To them it's just an abstract - they don't see the veyr real people they're destroying so they can be extra smug when they go to their church. They don't see the flesh and blood they destroy.

It's easy for them. they want to take a moral stand - now there are lots of laws in their ancient book of judgementalism - but most of it is HARD. It's hard to be good and nice and loving etc. So where can they get some easy points? Ban those nasty nasty gays - it's easy, doesn't harm them, so why not?

of course, you have to have no compassion or empathy at all to reason this way... but for gays I don't think they do

[thisdaydreamer.livejournal.com]

That is utterly horrifying. How can anyone believe that is excusable in any level?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Frankly it is evil. There is no other word for it. It is a level of cruelty I just cannot imagine anyone condoning.

But so long as such evil happens to the frightening "other" the bigots won't be troubled or disturbed

[gwailowrite.livejournal.com]

This is actually one of my biggest fears is that if anything should happen to me, the BF won't be granted access. We have all the correct papers drawn up and everything, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything if some idiot is calling the shots.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It is a horror, it is one of the main things that drove me in campaigning for marriage and in tying the knot ourselves. There are so many bigots out there and so much hatred that we need protection and we need to be able to enforce our rights - and basic human decency - as fiercely and loudly as possible

I dearly hope that sanity and reason will finally spread further - because tragedies like this just shouldn't ever happen

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling like channeling Madeline Kahn on this one...

(hoping embedded is working in comments)

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Embed works :)

And yes it is that level of fury

[jocelyncs.livejournal.com]

I've said it before, here and on my own LJ, and I'll say it again: I'm so very desperately sorry. For every single honest, loving individual who has the good fortune to share an honest, loving relationship with an honest, loving partner who is told by so many voices in this country and in this government that theirs is not real love, a real relationship, real marriage, real parenthood.

I voted against Florida's Amendment 2. I urged others to vote against it - with appalling lack of success even among those I considered liberal. Such casual dismissal of human rights. For those of us who see the suffering even if we may not share it, it hurts. The denial of justice hurts everyone who sees and acknowledges it.

But we must continue to hurt, until we can share that pain and make enough people feel it that enough are moved to end it.

Until we get there, I'm still doing what every pro-gay-rights Floridian can do: vote, speak, write letters, take part in a boycott or two.

It seems so little compared to so much injustice to be ended.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I* am glad there were so many campaigning for equal rights for gays. It gives me hope that, on the whoile, gay rights IS a battle we are winning

Slowly, yes. With many small defeats and a hell of a lot of pain, but we are winning. It's just a damn tragedy that there are people who will have to suffer this extremely until we get there - if we ever do.

But people will dismiss our rights because they aren't gay. It won't hit them. It won't impact on them. And, even with good will and compassion, because they've never been declined the rights of marriage (and even partnership since even an unmarried heterosexual couple would have been granted more consideration) so they don't understand why it's important.

[suryaofvulcan.livejournal.com]

I'm speechless ... disgusted ... furious. What is this obsession with defining 'family' as blood/marriage only? There are a lot of people in my life I consider 'family' who are no relation to me whatsoever - and if I was in hospital I'd certainly want to see them before any estranged blood relation. I can't imagine how much worse it would be to be alone and dying and have my life-partner denied access. Hospitals acting in this way are causing unnecessary suffering to their patients - I wonder if they could be sued on that basis?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I was incensed, I cannot imagine what that poor family went through - I just can't imagine that hell.

I have no idea what the legal ground is in florida but someone must answer for this evil.

[seryan.livejournal.com]

What is this obsession with defining 'family' as blood/marriage only?
I've tried to get people to explain it to me, and the ones who seem most obsessed over it can't. They honestly cannot think of a response.

[soappuppy.livejournal.com]

Because that's what God wants, isn't it -- for there to be less love in the world, and for people never to care for one another.

Bah.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It makes me wonder just how crazed these people are. How could they ever imagine that doing such an evil thing would be supported by any deity?

But it's an easy way to pick up some moral brownie points isn't it? I mean, if you want to get in good with god you could forgo some luxuries and give more to charity. Cut down on TV time and volunteer to help in a shelter. You could be kind and decent and good every day, friendly and open and loving. You could recognise all the nasty things you do everyday and try to do better

But all that's HARD damn it. And it's no fun and they don't want to. Is there an easier way? Hey, lookit gay folks, let's throw some rocks! Man, that was easy and we're doing it for the Lord! That's got to earn me some righteousness points. Right?

*le sigh*

[logophilos.livejournal.com]

There is no moral, legal or humane justification for this. It's pure and utter viciousness. My heart goes out to that poor family, and I hope they take that hospital for every fucking cent.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It is pure and utter evil. There should be a ruling allowing them to skin the evil bastards who forced this